Best Linear Fusion Rifles in Destiny 2: Tier List for PvP and PvE

by | Aug 30, 2023

After years of sitting on the sidelines, followed by months at the top of the meta, Linear Fusions Rifles are finally in a good place. In fact, a few of them are still considered to be among the best weapons in Destiny 2.

This guide covers every Linear Fusion Rifle in Destiny 2, including Exotic and Legendaries, as well as the best rolls for PvE and PvP.

Checkmark icon V3Updated as of Season of the Witch (S22). See Updates.

Destiny 2 Linear Fusion Rifles Tier List: Top-tier Options

This Tier list features the Top-tier Exotic and Legendary Linear Fusion Rifles and covers both PvE and PvP:

NameWeaponsTypeArchetypeAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?RankSourceAvailable?Tier rankSource ❘ DLCFinal VerdictReleasedPerksBest of?
ArbalestDestiny 2 Arbalest art
Arbalest
Linear Fusion RifleExoticSpecialKineticLightfallYesS › BestExotic QuestCheckmark icon V3
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Exotic Quest
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Shield Piercing rounds Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage."

► Arbalest continues to dominate in every area of the game, even through nerfs to both its damage and aim assist. With the ability to bypass Barrier Champion and elemental shields in 1-2 shots (even on Grandmaster difficulty), Arbalest will remain an unstoppable force.
Season 6
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Shield Piercing rounds Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage."
Top-tier
CataclysmicCataclysmic art v2
Cataclysmic
Linear Fusion RiflePrecisionHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesS › BestVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Vow of the Disciple Raid
The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch

► Cataclysmic has always been great for total damage, but now also excels in DPS because of a buff to Bait and Switch. While most players now try to match their subclass and weapon elements for Font of Might, Cataclysmic continues to attract players of all subclasses with its unmatched raw damage.
Season 16
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch
Top-tier
Briar's ContemptBriar's Contempt art
Briar's Contempt
Linear Fusion RifleAggressiveHeavySolarLightfallYesS › BestRoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Focused Fury (also good: Surrounded)

► Briar's Contempt was released with little popularity, along with the rest of the Root of Nightmares weapons. However, now that people have had their hands on it for a bit, it's clear that Briar's is strong. The combination of Surrounded and Harmonic Resonance makes this weapon even stronger than Cataclysmic, but only in specific scenarios.
Season 20
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Focused Fury (also good: Surrounded)
Top-tier
Sleeper SimulantDestiny 2 Sleeper Simulant art
Sleeper Simulant
Linear Fusion RifleExoticHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongExotic KioskCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Exotic Kiosk
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces."

► Sleeper Simulant has always been a great pick but is often ignored by the community. Whether this is because of the plethora of other great options or that Sleeper is uses an exotic slot, but using this as a burst-damage weapon isn't a bad option.
Season 3
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces."
Top-tier
Reed's RegretReed's Regret art
Reed's Regret
Linear Fusion RiflePrecisionHeavyStasisLightfallYesA › StrongTrials of OsirisCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Trials of Osiris
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Triple Tap (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)

► Even though Reed's Regret has seen a slight decline in popularity due to the absurd power of newer options, it still sees high usage due to its strong perk selection and S-Tier origin trait. And with the added bonus of having an Adept variant and Stasis element, Reed's continues to excel.
Season 15
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Triple Tap (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)
Top-tier
StormchaserStormchaser art
Stormchaser
Linear Fusion RifleAggressiveHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesA › StrongDuality DungeonCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Duality Dungeon
The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)

► Being the first aggressive frame linear fusion rifle, Stormchaser was remarkably strong for its time. However, now that other options like Cataclysmic and Briar's Contempt have gained popularity, Stormchaser has taken a back seat. It's still an outstanding option if you're not a raider, but going for something better is definitely worth it.
Season 17
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)
Top-tier
Taipan-4frTaipan-4fr art
Taipan-4fr
Linear Fusion RiflePrecisionHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
World loot pool
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line

► Taipan-4fr found strong community love upon release but now has taken a backseat to other options. It's still an absurdly strong pick for a world drop, but if you have access to raids and dungeons, you'll find significantly stronger linear fusion rifles there.
Season 18
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line
Top-tier

Linear Fusion Rifles: The complete list

This database includes every viable Linear Fusion currently in the game:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Destiny 2 Arbalest artArbalestLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticSpecialKineticLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvEExotic QuestError icon V2Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 6KineticNoTop-tier
Lorentz Driver artLorentz DriverLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticSpecialVoidBeyond LightYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialVoid Void
Average

B

PvE + PvPExotic KioskError icon V2Beyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 15EnergyNo
Destiny 2 Sleeper Simulant artSleeper SimulantLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEExotic KioskError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 3HeavyNoTop-tier
Destiny 2 The Queenbreaker artThe QueenbreakerLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Worst

D

-Exotic EngramError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 4HeavyNo
Briar's Contempt artBriar's ContemptLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Corsairs Wrath Destiny 2 artCorsair's WrathLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Worst

D

-World loot poolError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 12HeavyNo
Doomed Petitioner art Destiny 2Doomed PetitionerLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyVoidSeason 23YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid VoidSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 23
Season 23HeavyCraftableReconstruction
Fire and Forget art
Fire and ForgetLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyStasisThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19HeavyCraftable
Laser Painter art Destiny 2Laser PainterLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStrandFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvEPlaylist: GambitError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21HeavyNo
Reed's Regret artReed's RegretLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Strong

A

PvETrials of OsirisError icon V2Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 15HeavyNoTop-tier
Sailspy Pitchglass artSailspy PitchglassLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftableVoltshot
Stormchaser artStormchaserLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Strong

A

PvEDuality DungeonError icon V2The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNoTop-tier
Taipan-4fr artTaipan-4frLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

PvEWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftableTop-tierRepulsor Brace
Tarantula artTarantulaLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-World loot poolError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Threaded Needle artThreaded NeedleLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Weak

C

PvEWorld loot poolError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo

These are the different Tier levels used for our list:

  • S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
  • A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
  • B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
  • C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
  • D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.

Best Linear Fusions in Destiny 2: Top 5

Ready to dig deeper into the absolute best Linear Fusion Rifles (LFRs) in Destiny 2 right now? These are the cream of the crop, our favorites (for PvE and PvP):

 

Reed's Regret Destiny 2 featured Linear Fusion

5. Reed’s Regret

Vanguard logo Destiny 2 Excels in PvE

The first legendary linear fusion rifle to fall into the meta, Reed’s Regret is a well-rounded pick that still holds up.

With the powerful perk combo of Triple Tap and Firing Line, Reed’s is great in a Fireteam. Plus, if luck is on your side, Veist Stinger can fully reload your magazine just by using the weapon.

One thing to note is that this is the only legendary linear fusion rifle in the top 5 that doesn’t come from a raid or dungeon. If you’re not into those activities, this will be your best bet. That said, if you’re set on rocking this weapon type in PvE, we’d highly recommend getting your hands on one higher in this list.

While not nearly as popular as when it was first released, Reed’s Regret is a potent DPS option that excels in conjunction with a Stasis subclass.

PvE God roll:

  • Triple Tap (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)

How to get it: Reed’s Regret can be acquired via Trials of Osiris engrams and rank-ups.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Reed's Regret artReed's RegretLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Strong

A

PvETrials of OsirisError icon V2Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 15HeavyNoTop-tier

 

Stormchaser linear fusion rifle Destiny 2 featured

4. Stormchaser

Vanguard logo Destiny 2 Excels in PVE

Completely unexpected by the community, the Duality dungeon brought a linear fusion rifle with a new frame: Stormchaser, a three-burst LFR.

With Firing Line in column two and Rapid Hit in column one (which pairs perfectly with the burst-shot nature of the weapon), Stormchaser was set up for success with its perks. Combined with the Aggressive frame’s high base damage, these perks allow Stormchaser to surpass most of its competition.

With the recent release and growth in popularity of other options (namely Cataclysmic and Briar’s Contempt), Stormchaser has seen a steady decline in usage. That in no way means that Stormchaser isn’t worth using, however. If you don’t raid enough to get a good roll of other popular options, Stormchaser is a great pick.

Stormchaser backs up its status as a dungeon drop with its S-Tier perks, high base damage, and entertaining and unique frame.

PvE God roll:

  • : Rapid Hit (also good: Clown Cartridge) + Firing Line (also good: Vorpal Weapon)

How to get it: Stormchaser can be acquired from the Duality dungeon.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Stormchaser artStormchaserLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Strong

A

PvEDuality DungeonError icon V2The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNoTop-tier

 

Briar's Contempt Linear Fusion Rifle

3. Briar’s Contempt

Vanguard logo Destiny 2 Excels in PvE

Briar’s Contempt made no waves whatsoever upon release, primarily due to Cataclysmic’s continued domination of this weapon class. However, people are now beginning to see Briar’s true power.

To begin, Reconstruction and Rewind Rounds are unique but helpful in the first column. In the second, there’s recently been a considerable amount of hype around Surrounded. While it’s a pain to proc in most activities, the 40% (47% enhanced) damage buff it grants is unrivaled. Harmonic Resonance (Root of Nightmares’ origin trait) is equally as situational but can prove useful in the Nezarec and Ghosts of the Deep fights.

Beyond this, Briar’s Contempt also sees power in more generic options such as Focused Fury. While it’s not quite as strong as Cataclysmic overall, that’s a high bar to exceed. Briar’s Contempt proves to be both powerful and unique, rocketing it up to near the top of this list.

PvE God roll:

  • Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Focused Fury (also good: Surrounded)

How to get it: Briar’s Contempt can be acquired from the Root of Nightmares raid.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Briar's Contempt artBriar's ContemptLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction

 

Arbalest Destiny 2 featured Linear Fusion

2. Arbalest

Vanguard logo Destiny 2Best PvE Linear Fusion in Destiny 2

After enduring countless nerfs that tried to bring it back in line with other weapons, Arbalest is still a monster in all aspects of the game.

The ability to stun Barrier Champions with one shot in Grandmaster content would be enough to make this weapon an excellent choice for most. However, Arbalest can do this every season, and it can also shred elemental shields. With one Arbalest user on your team, Match Game and Barrier Champions are no longer a problem.

On top of all that, Arbalest provides its own damage bonus that stacks with other buffs. After destroying a shield with it, Arbalest will do 50% more damage to that combatant for over five seconds. And if you have the catalyst unlocked, destroying a shield also reloads the weapon automatically.

Arbalest has so much going on that it’s hard to include it all here. While it serves an entirely different purpose than the rest of the LFRs on this list, Arbalest is a menace in any activity or enemy you put in front of it.

Exotic Perk: “Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Shield Piercing rounds Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy’s shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage.”

How to get it: Arbalest can be acquired via Exotic engrams or Xûr.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Destiny 2 Arbalest artArbalestLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticSpecialKineticLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvEExotic QuestError icon V2Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 6KineticNoTop-tier

 

Cataclysmic Linear Fusion Rifle Destiny 2 featured

1. Cataclysmic

Vanguard logo Destiny 2 Excels in PVE

Worse than Reed’s Regret when it was first released, Cataclysmic benefitted from a substantial buff to Bait and Switch soon after Vow of the Disciple’s launch, making it one of the best weapons in the game.

Bait and Switch grants a 35% damage increase for 10 seconds when triggered. Considering that Firing Line is only 20% (and requires two nearby Guardians), you can see why the community loves this perk.

Cataclysmic also has an Adept variant, allowing it to utilize mods like Adept Big Ones. Solar subclasses also tend to be some of the most popular choices among all three classes, meaning this weapon can consistently take advantage of Font of Might.

While it’s maybe not the most flashy or unique option on this list, Cataclysmic is widely regarded as the best legendary linear fusion rifle currently available.

PvE God roll:

  • Fourth Time’s The Charm + Bait and Switch

How to get it: Cataclysmic can be acquired from the Vow of the Disciple raid.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftableTop-tier

Linear Fusion Rifles and the PvP Meta: TTK

We covered in detail the Linear Fusions that are considered top-tier (and should be farmed) and the ones that can be safely ignored. But how do they compare to other Heavy weapons in PvP?

Weapon Type RankTierTrendRole ❘ Current StateCategory
Rocket launcher weapon type Destiny 2
Rocket Launchers
S › Best
Best

S

-► Rocket Launchers remain a staple in many players' loadouts. They can provide high-range one-shot kills, and can also do AoE damage which can potentially allow you to clear teams if they are close enough together.

► Best Archetype: Precision (15 RPM) - Example: Gjallarhorn
PVP Heavies
Grenade launcher weapon type Destiny 2
Grenade Launchers
S › Best
Best

S

-► Heavy Grenade Launchers are an incredible option for those who are confident in landing their direct hits. They can functionally serve as a Rocket Launcher, but instead of coming with only a single shot, Grenade Launchers can bring 3, which, of course, means more potential kills.

► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Memory Interdict
PVP Heavies
Machine gun weapon type Destiny 2
Machine Guns
A › Strong
Strong

A

-► Machine Guns are still an incredible option for Control as they can provide many kills. However, they do require multiple shots to kill which can lead to you potentially being Sniped or peak-shot by a Primary Weapon.

► Best Archetype: Adaptive (450 RPM) - Example: Corrective Measure
PVP Heavies
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2
Linear Fusion Rifles
B › Average
Average

B

► Linear fusion rifles are in the middle of an identity crisis. They are stronger than sniper rifles and have more aim assistance, but they still require Heavy ammo and a headshot to one-shot an enemy. On top of that, they also have a charge time to take into account. Compared to a sniper rifle that fires immediately and only uses Special ammo, Linear Fusion rifles make little sense for the Crucible.PVP Heavies
Sword weapon type Destiny 2
Swords
C › Weak
Weak

C

-► Swords are perhaps the most fun option (especially with Eager Edge); however, they are too inconsistent to warrant any competitive use. Furthermore, benefitting from third-person view is no longer possible without Heavy ammo, making the only niche usage swords had redundant.

► Best Archetype: Adaptive/Lightweight- Examples: Half-Truths/Quickfang
PVP Heavies

This TTK guide includes the TTKs for every weapon in Destiny 2. But Heavy weapons follow different rules (except machine guns). These are supposed to be the most powerful weapons in the entire game, and the expectation is that they one-shot enemy guardians. This is why TTK is not applicable here.

For PVP, you want your Power weapon to be as reliable and consistent as possible. Linear Fusions are not too bad in that department due to their high aim assist, but they still require good timing and aim.

If you’re looking for a more forgiving weapon, a rocket launcher will be a better option. Having said that, Linear Fusions get more ammo. Therefore, players who can master Linear Fusions can easily secure a few kills per ammo brick.

LFRs and the PvE Meta: DPS

How do LFRs compare to other Heavy weapons in PvE?

Weapon Type RankTierTrendRole ❘ Current StateCategory
Rocket launcher weapon type Destiny 2
Rocket Launchers
S › Best
Best

S

Trend upMain role: Burst Damage (Secondary role: Add Clear)

► If an S+ category existed, Rocket Launchers would be there. They absolutely dominate the DPS meta for any boss that isn't Crota and easily outclass other options thanks to their flexibility in damage rotations and their ability to be spammed at bosses. Rockets are incredibly strong right now, and it wouldn't be surprising if they received some tuning soon.

► Best Archetype: Adaptive (20 RPM) - Example: The Hothead
PVE Heavies
Machine gun weapon type Destiny 2
Machine Guns
A › Strong
Strong

A

Trend upMain role: Add Clear

► With the nerf to double-special loadouts, players can't mindlessly spam Machine Guns at enemies anymore and be rewarded for it. However, Machine guns are still excellent at ad clear and remain decent for DPS. That said, for DPS, they are massively outclassed by Rocket Launchers.

► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (900 RPM) - Example: Retrofit Escapade
PVE Heavies
Sword weapon type Destiny 2
Swords
A › Strong
Strong

A

Trend upMain roles: Add Clear & Single Target damage (i.e. Boss damage).

► Swords are in a good spot right now. In fact, they are the go-to option for Crota in Crota's End. However, this is only because of a modifier that increases Sword damage against Crota. Outside of this specific boss, Swords are a decent option that doesn't excel simply because they are out-damaged by other heavy weapons.

► Best Archetype: Whirlwind - Example: Falling Guillotine
PVE Heavies
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2
Linear Fusion Rifles
A › Strong
Strong

A

Trend downMain role: Single Target damage (Secondary role: Burst Damage)

► Linear Fusion Rifles might not be the top dogs anymore, but they are still serious contenders when it comes to total damage. Options like Cataclysmic and Briar's Contempt can still see some use in today's meta. However, despite their strengths, most situations do not require the amount of total damage that Linear Fusions offer, and if they do, options like Leviathan's Breath can fill that void very easily.

► Best Archetype: Precision (533 RPM) - Example: Reed's Regret
PVE Heavies
Grenade launcher weapon type Destiny 2
Grenade Launchers
B › Average
Average

B

-Main role: Add Clear (Secondary role: Single Target Damage).

► Grenade Launchers are on the rise, and with a couple of changes, we could see them soar to the top of the pile. For now, though, they remain a mediocre option with a couple of outliers, such as the Cataphract GL3, which is mainly good because it has Bait and Switch, not because it's a Grenade Launcher.

► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Cataphract GL3
PVE Heavies
Sniper rifle weapon type Destiny 2
Exotic Sniper Rifles
C › Weak
Weak

C

-Main role: Single Target damage

► Exotic Snipers still require more help. D.A.R.C.I remains a complete joke, and Whisper of the Worm isn't strong enough to bring the ranking up. While Whisper is a surprisingly decent option, it requires a teammate using Divinity in most situations, unless you are very consistent with your shots. And even then, Rocket Launchers are still superior DPS options.

► Best Archetype: Aggressive (72 RPM) - Example: Whisper of the Worm
PVE Heavies

According to Bungie, these are the different roles for Heavy weapons:

Role Explanation Target Weapon types
Add Clear Clearing weaker enemies faster than you could with a primary ammo weapon. For most content, primaries do the add clear job perfectly well, so this is most useful in high-difficulty PvE. Main: Machine Guns, Grenade Launchers, Swords

Secondary: Rocket Launchers

Single Target Damage Burning down a boss. Main: Linear Fusion Rifles, Exotic Snipers, Swords

Secondary: Grenade Launchers, Machine Guns

Burst Damage Burning down a champion quickly, or for bosses with multiple damage phases, clearing a phase quickly. Main: Rocket Launchers

Secondary: Linear Fusion Rifles

Keep in mind that when it comes to PvE, DPS is one of the most important factors. As you know, the higher the DPS, the more damage you can deal to a Boss or Major. This DPS chart includes the DPS numbers for every weapon in Destiny 2.

When it comes to actual DPS, Linear Fusions are strong:

-Weapon TypeArchetypeAverage DPSBurst DPSTotal DamageSpecs---Best in ClassChange?Ammo
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion Rifle

Exotic

21,79925,351396,792With CatalystDestiny 2 Sleeper Simulant artSleeper SimulantBuffedHeavy
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion RifleAggressive15,55917,367381,218-Stormchaser artStormchaserNewHeavy
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion Rifle

Exotic

15,18217,844389,320With Marksman SightsDestiny 2 The Queenbreaker artThe QueenbreakerBuffedHeavy
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion RiflePrecision14,97917,844356,880-Reed's Regret artReed's RegretBuffedHeavy
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion Rifle

Exotic

11,32513,412287,500-Destiny 2 Arbalest artArbalestSameSpecial
Linear fusion rifle weapon type Destiny 2Linear Fusion Rifle

Exotic

11,32513,412287,500-Lorentz Driver artLorentz DriverSameSpecial

Endgame content

When using a Linear Fusion, you want to dish sustained damage to a single target in endgame content, be it a Boss or a Major. As Linear Fusions are all about hitting precision hits to take advantage of that sweet critical hit multiplier, you’ll want to use it against an enemy that has a reasonably easy-to-hit crit spot. Unlike Rocket launchers or Swords that can’t deal precision damage, Linear Fusions need to land virtually 100% precision shots in order to be competitive.

Your turn

You now know everything there is to know about Linear Fusions in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.

See latest Updates

We keep our content up to date! These are the latest changes made to this guide:
  • Aug 8, 2023: General updates and the inclusion of Season 18 to 21 Linear fusion rifles.
  • Jan 5, 2022: Inclusion of Year 5 (the Witch Queen) LFRs.
  • Nov 22, 2022: Inclusion of Year 4 LFRs.
  • May 10, 2021: The guide is published for the first time.

Stay tuned, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!

About The Author

Ric Molina
Ric Molina
I've been covering gaming since 2012, and some of my work has been featured by large brands, including MSN.com, Forbes, Rock Paper Shotgun, and more. I've been obsessed with Destiny 2 (and now Diablo 4) for years now, and I hope to provide new and returning players with the guides and resources I wish I had when I first started.
More from Ric Molina
1 Comment
  1. ConfidentFlame

    ummm….. this page needs a refresher lol. Happy Holidays 🙂

    Reply
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